MONTPELIER — The Vermont Senate has rejected a proposal that would move up the state’s primary election to early August.

Senators on Wednesday amended the election bill to remove the part that would have shifted the primary to the first Tuesday in August and then voted 29-0 in favor of the amendment.

Vermont’s primary used to be held in mid-September but was moved to the fourth Tuesday in August in 2010 to ensure the secretary of state’s office has time to produce general election ballots in time to meet federal deadlines, including sending absentee ballots to overseas service members.